US3743865A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proximity switch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-29
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1991-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A capacitive proximity switch has a proximity electrode designed as an antenna. The signal from the electrode detunes an oscillator. Discrimination of the oscillated signal operates a bistable flip-flop to cause a thyristor in a load circuit to conduct and operate the coil of a magnetic valve.
Inventors
- 👤 W Riechmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:09
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/945; H03K17/955; H03K2217/00; H03K2217/94; H03K2217/96; H03K2217/9607; H03K2217/960755; H03K2217/960765
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A proximity switch for controlling water taps in sanitary appliances by bringing a part of a human body in the vicinity thereof comprising a proximity electrode comprising an antenna operating on a floating potential an oscillator circuit which includes said proximity electrode and is detuned to generate changed oscillations when said body part is approaching said antenna and an amplitude discriminator following said circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
A proximity switch for controlling water taps in sanitary appliances by bringing a part of a human body in the vicinity thereof comprising a proximity electrode comprising an antenna operating on a floating potential an oscillator circuit which includes said proximity electrode and is detuned to generate changed oscillations when said body part is approaching said antenna and an amplitude discriminator following said circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A proximity switch for controlling water taps in sanitary appliances by bringing a part of a human body in the vicinity thereof comprising a proximity electrode comprising an antenna which is free of a reference potential, an oscillator circuit which includes said proximity electrode and is detuned to generate changed oscillations when said body part is approaching said antenna, at least a portion of said oscillator circuit in addition to said proximity electrode being free of a reference potential and an amplitude discriminator following said circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
A proximity switch for controlling water taps in sanitary appliances by bringing a part of a human body in the vicinity thereof comprising a proximity electrode comprising an antenna which is free of a reference potential, an oscillator circuit which includes said proximity electrode and is detuned to generate changed oscillations when said body part is approaching said antenna, at least a portion of said oscillator circuit in addition to said proximity electrode being free of a reference potential and an amplitude discriminator following said circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A proximity switch according to claim 2 in which said oscillator circuit and said amplitude discriminator are free of a reference potential.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A proximity switch according to claim 3 in which the amplitude discriminator is followed by a comparator which is free of a reference potential.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A proximity switch according to claim 2 in which the portion of the switch which is free of a reference potential is separated from the reference potential by transformer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A proximity switch for controlling water taps in sanitary appliances by bringing a part of a human body in the vicinity thereof comprising a proximity electrode comprising an antenna which is free of a reference potential, an oscillator circuit which includes said proximity electrode and is detuned to generate changed oscillations when said body part is approaching said antenna, and an amplitude discriminator following said circuit and a threshold stage following said amplitude discriminator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A proximity switch for controlling water taps in sanitary appliances by bringing a part of a human body in the vicinity thereof comprising a proximity electrode comprising an antenna which is free of a reference potential, an oscillator circuit which includes said proximity electrode and is detuned to generate changed oscillations when said body part is approaching said antenna, and an amplitude discriminator following said circuit and a threshold stage following said amplitude discriminator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A proximity switch according to claim 6 in which the amplitude discriminator and the threshold stage are a monostable flip-flop.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A proximity switch according to claim 7 in which the amplitude discriminator is preceded by a DC coupled AC amplifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A proximity switch according to claim 6 in which the threshold stage is followed by a bistable flip-flop the output of which is connected to a current switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A proximity switch according to claim 9 in which the output of the bistable flip-flop is connected to time delay means and the output of the time delay means is connected to a point in advance of the bistable flip-flop.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
87 words
A capacitive proximity switch for controlling water taps in sanitary appliances by Bringing a part of a human body in the vicinity thereof comprising a proximity electrode comprising an antenna which is free of a reference potential, an oscillator circuit which includes said proximity electrode and is detuned to generate change oscillations when said body part is approaching said antenna, at least a portion of said oscillator circuit in addition to said proximity electrode being free of a reference potential, and a frequency discriminator following said circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
A capacitive proximity switch for controlling water taps in sanitary appliances by Bringing a part of a human body in the vicinity thereof comprising a proximity electrode comprising an antenna which is free of a reference potential, an oscillator circuit which includes said proximity electrode and is detuned to generate change oscillations when said body part is approaching said antenna, at least a portion of said oscillator circuit in addition to said proximity electrode being free of a reference potential, and a frequency discriminator following said circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
123 words
A proximity switch for controlling water taps in sanitary appliances by bringing a part of a human body in the vicinity thereof comprising a proximity electrode comprising an antenna, an oscillator circuit which includes said proximity electrode and is detuned to generate changed oscillations when said body part is approaching said antenna, an amplitude discriminator following said circuit, a comparator following said amplitude discriminator, resettable means following said comparator which operates a current switch upon receipt of a signal from said comparator and timing means having its input connected to the output of said current switch operating means and its output connected in advance of said current switch operating means to reset said current switch operating means after a predetermined period of time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
123 words
A proximity switch for controlling water taps in sanitary appliances by bringing a part of a human body in the vicinity thereof comprising a proximity electrode comprising an antenna, an oscillator circuit which includes said proximity electrode and is detuned to generate changed oscillations when said body part is approaching said antenna, an amplitude discriminator following said circuit, a comparator following said amplitude discriminator, resettable means following said comparator which operates a current switch upon receipt of a signal from said comparator and timing means having its input connected to the output of said current switch operating means and its output connected in advance of said current switch operating means to reset said current switch operating means after a predetermined period of time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |